St Ives councillors agreed to ­investigate whether they could replace double yellow lines in parts of the town centre after discussing a report from the St Ives and District Area Road Safety Committee, at last Wednesday’s council meeting.

The highways authority, Cambridge-shire County Council, said legislation did not allow it to consider the idea.

The report, compiled by Councillor Peter Smith, said: “Parking on yellow lines outside Lloyds Bank is still causing traffic congestion. This is mostly by blue badge holders. Large vehicles ­approaching from the direction of the Free Church are unable to turn.”

At the council meeting, Cllr Ian Dobson said: “It’s not just Lloyds. I would like to make a formal proposal that we approach the county council with a view to ­implement double blue lines which would eradicate this problem. I have seen a large vehicle in front of the Corn Exchange that simply couldn’t get around and three men pushing a vehicle with its handbrake on 10 metres to get it out of the way.”

Blue badge holders are permitted to park on double yellow lines unless there are loading or unloading restrictions or where a parked vehicle would endanger, inconvenience or obstruct pedestrians or other road users. The double blue lines, which are not included in the Highway Code, would have been used to highlight unsuitable areas for blue badge holders to park.

A CCC spokesman said: “There’s no means or requirement in legislation to implement blue lines on our highway.”

Councillors also discussed North Road, which the report said was not suitable for buses travelling in both directions. It was suggested that removing a pathway would widen the road sufficiently, but the council is looking for other options.

At the meeting, councillors agreed to donate £1,000 to the Woodlands Cancer Centre.

Is disabled parking in St Ives town centre an issue? And what can be done to North Road? Send your views to editor@huntspost.co.uk.

As a blue badge holder and wheelchair user I find it very difficult to find a suitable place to park in Market Hill. There are very few disabled spaces and as the passenger I am unable to alight from the car at the kerbside as the kerbs are so high. We often find we have to stop the car in front of the side road by The Golden Lion as there is a decent size area with a dropped kerb. The blocks vehicle access to the Montaz and the other businesses - we often have delivery vehicles and taxis inconvenienced while I am 'off-loaded'. I am then abandoned on the path for a short while while a suitable parking space is sought out.

Parking on double yellow lines in St Ives has been a free for all for ages. Both Blue badge holders and non Blue badge holders are equally culpable. Legislation already exists to prosecute those obstructing, inconveniencing and endangering others so other than implementing it, there's nothing more that needs be done.